Automated method for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges

ABSTRACT

A method of installing angle plates at the corners of ducts which has at the opposite ends of each panel of the duct channel shaped flanges into which is installed an angle plate with the angle plates being utilized to secure adjacent ducts together utilizing fasteners. The angle plates are configurated so as to be automatically fed by way of a supply hopper and associated machinery is constructed whereby a lowermost angle plate in a stack is automatically fed into position overlying duct channel flanges after the duct has been clamped in place followed by the forcing of the angle plate into the duct channel flanges and the securement of the angle plate in place. The method may comprise placing two angle flanges into two corners of one end of the duct and, further, simultaneously placing angle plates into the channel flanges at both the bottom and top of a duct. Finally, the duct may come with two portions joined by a seam which is automatically locked together at the time of the placement of the angle plates.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/021,453 filed Feb. 23,1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,944.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the placement of angle plates into the cornerdefined by channel flanges at the ends of panels of a duct of aconventional type. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatusfor and method of automatically placing the angle plates into thechannel flanges of ducts once a duct is positioned relative to themachinery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to connect the ends of sheet metal ducts by providingthe ducts at opposite ends of the panels of the ducts which open towardsone another and wherein there is disposed at the corners of the ductsangle plates which have opposite ends thereof seated in and connecttogether adjacent angle flanges. The ducts are then secured together byway of fasteners which connect together the angle plates.

Attention is here directed to the patents to Heilman et al, U.S. Pat.No. 4,466,641, and La Crosse et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,923, whichclearly disclose ducts formed with the channel flanges into which thereare forced angle plates by way of which the ducts are connected togetherby bolts passing through the angle plates.

To date, the angle plates are manually secured to the ducts by manuallyforcing the angle plates into the duct channel flanges. This is timeconsuming and thus costly. Further, each angle plate must be positionedindividually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, a first objective is to provide angleplates for connecting together ducts which are so configurated wherebythe angle plates may be stored in a supply hopper in a manner whereinthe lowermost angle plate may be moved from beneath the remaining angleplates and applied to a duct.

Next, in order that angle plates may be automatically positioned withinduct channel flanges, there is provided machinery which willautomatically secure a duct for the reception of one or more angleplates. When the duct securing operation is completed, an angle platewill be moved from the bottom of a stack of angle plates against acorner of the duct and above the adjacent channel flanges. Then theangle plates are pressed into the channel flanges.

Inasmuch as there is a notch defined by adjacent ends of adjacentchannel flanges, it has been found that an angle plate may be bestpositioned for pressing into the channel flanges with a corner thereoftilted into the notch. This results in the accurate positioning of theangle plate relative to the channel flanges.

After the angle plates are fully seated in the channel flanges, sideedges of the channel flanges adjacent the notch are crimped intooverlying relation with respect to the angle plate to assureinterlocking of the angle plate with the duct.

Another feature of the invention is that there may be provided two setsof angle plate applicating machinery so as to simultaneously installangle plates at two corners of a duct.

Also, since angle plates must be installed at opposite ends of the duct,similar machinery may be provided for automatically installing angleplates at an upper end of the duct at the same time as angle plates areinstalled at the bottom end of a duct. Furthermore, the machinery forinstalling angle plates at the upper end of a duct is automaticallyvertically adjustable to compensate for differences in duct lengths.

Finally, ducts come in one or two sections which must be locked togetherby way of longitudinal seams. These seams may be automatically lockedtogether by a rolling action while the angle plates are being installed.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away showing two ductsjoined together by way of angle plates installed in channel flanges ofthe ducts;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a duct having channelflanges into which a duct joining angle plate is pressed;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a typical angle plate having stacking means;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the initial positioning of an angleplate relative to a duct in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is similar perspective view showing the angle plate fully pressedinto position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a machine formed in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing a lower partof a duct positioned for receiving an angle plate;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally alongthe line 8--8 of FIG. 7 and shows specifically both the details of apositioner for holding a duct in position and presser means for pressingan angle plate into channel flanges of such duct;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken through a supply hopper forangle plates and apparatus for moving the lowermost angle plate of astack into position relative to a duct for positioning in the channelflanges of such duct;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view with parts broken away showing thedetails of a presser unit for pressing an angle plate into a ductchannel flange;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the tilting of the angleplate to the position shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the presser unit fullypressing the angle plate into the position shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view with parts broken away of a crimpingmechanism carried by the upper half of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 14--14 ofFIG. 13 and shows further the details of the crimping mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper mechanismshowing the difference in construction of the angle plate feed mechanismof the upper mechanism as compared to the lower mechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the crimping mechanismof the lower part of the machine;

FIG. 17 is a control schematic showing how a fluid cylinder of a latterfunction of the machine is controlled by a valve actuated by a priorfunctioning mechanism of the machine;

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing the provision of two angleplate applying machines in cooperating relation for simultaneouslyinstalling angle plates to two corners at both ends of a duct;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing the manner in which theclamp plate installing machine may be modified to simultaneously lock aconventional seam between one or two longitudinal duct halves;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 20--20 of FIG.3 and shows the details of a non-nesting spacer at the corner of theangle plate of FIG. 3;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIG.3 and shows the details of a non-nesting spacer at an end of the angleplate of FIG. 3;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a modified form of an angle plate;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 23--23 of FIG.22 and shows the details of a non-nesting spacer at the corner of theangle plate of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 24--24 of FIG.22 and shows the details of a non-nesting tab truck from an end portionof the angle plate of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a schematic elevational view showing the pivotal mounting ofthe machine for repairs; and

FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 26--26 of FIG. 25and further shows the details of the pivotal mounting of the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a pair of ducts 20 which arejoined together utilizing angle plates 22 which are seated at corners ofthe ducts 20 in channel flanges 24 at each end of each panel 26 of eachduct. The ducts 20 are secured together by bolts 28 and nuts 30 passingthrough each pair of angle plates 22.

Prior to this invention, the angle plates 22 were installed in the ducts20 by time consuming manual operation. This invention particularlyrelates to a machine which will automatically place the angle plates 22within the channel flanges 24.

Reference is now to made to FIG. 2 wherein is illustrated a lower cornerof one of the ducts 20 and shows the specific details of channel flange24 formed at opposite ends of the duct panels 26. It is to be noted thateach channel flange 24 includes a base member 32 which extendstransversely outwardly from each end of each panel 26. The base member32 terminates in a side flange 34 which extends parallel to therespective panel 26 and is selectively doubled inwardly or outwardlyupon itself as at 36.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 wherein is illustrated a typical angleplate 22 which is of a right angle outline and includes a pair ofintegral legs 38 joined together at right angles. Each leg 38 may be ofsufficient thickness to have the required strength or may be suitablyreinforced, for example by upstanding flanges 40.

At a corner 42 formed by the legs 38 there is an opening 44 forreceiving the bolts 28.

In accordance with this invention, the angle plates 22 must bestackable, one upon the other, as is shown in FIG. 9 with the bottomangle plate 22 in a stack being slid out from under the remainder of theangle plates 22 in that stack. To this end, each angle plate 22 isprovided with at least three upstanding projections or the equivalentthereof. The projections include reversely bent tabs 46 at remote endsof the legs 38 and remotely bent tabs 47 at opposite sides of theopening 44.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, at each corner of the duct 20 there isformed by the channel flanges 24 a square notch 48. This notch, as isshown in FIG. 4, is beneficially utilized in the seating of an angleplate 42 within a pair of adjacent channel flanges 24. It will be seenthat in an initial step of pressing an angle plate 22 into the pair ofchannel flanges 24, the corner portion of the angle plate 22 isdepressed within the notch 48 with the legs 38 being tilted upwardly andtightly engaged with the panels 26 of the duct 20. Thereafter, as isshown in FIG. 5, the angle plate 22 is then fully pressed into thechannel flanges 24.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that there is illustrated amachine, generally identified by the numeral 50 automaticallypositioning and securing angle plates within channel flanges of ducts.Returning momentarily to FIG. 1, it Will be seen that there are channelflanges 24 at each end of the duct 20. The machinery 50 includes a lowerunit, generally identified by the numeral 52, and an upper unit,generally identified by the numeral 54. The lower unit is constructed toplace angle plates 22 within the lower channel flanges 24 while theupper unit 54 is constructed to place angle plates 22 within the upperchannel flanges 24. The lower unit 52 may be utilized either by itselfor in combination with the upper unit 54. The lower unit 52 will bedescribed in detail first.

The lower unit 52 includes a platen or base plate 56 which is providedwith suitable supports to position the same at an elevation whereinequipment secured to the underside of platen 56 will clear thesupporting surface. There is mounted above the platen 56 in verticallyspaced relation an upstanding angle plate supply hopper 58. In thismanner, a lowermost angle plate 22 may be slid out from beneath theremaining angle plates within a stack of angle plates as is generallyshown in FIG. 9.

The platen 56 is of a size to have seated thereon a lower part of atypical duct 20 as is shown in FIG. 6. The duct 20 is in part positionedby way of a notched plate 60 which will be described in detailhereinafter. As is best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower unit 52includes positioning means for positioning the lower part of the duct 20relative to the notched plate 60. The positioning means, which aregenerally identified by the numeral 62, includes a positioning member 64which is pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot pin 66 mounted belowthe platen 56 with the platen 56 having an elongated notch 68 thereinwhich permits the positioning member 64 to swing upwardly from arecessed position below the top surface of the platen to the ductposition shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The positioning member 64 includes a pinion sector 70 which is engagedby a rack 72 mounted for vertical movement on an end of a piston rod 74of a fluid motor 76.

When the lower part of the duct 20 is moved into the position shown inFIG. 8, the channel flanges 24 are now in positions for receiving angleplates 22. This is accomplished by the mechanism shown in FIG. 9 whichincludes a feed member 78 which is seated for sliding movement on aspacer plate 80. It is to be noted that the lowermost plate 22 is seatedon that same spacer plate so that the angle plates 22 which are fed tothe duct 20 will be positioned above the duct channel flange 24.

A second fluid motor 82 is mounted by means of a support 84 beneath theplaten 56 and a piston rod 86 of the fluid motor carries an arm 88 whichis secured to the underside of the feed plate 78 and passes through aline of slots 90 and 92 and the platen 56 and the spacer plate 80.

It will be seen that the operating stroke of the fluid motor 82 is areciprocating stroke. A lowermost angle plate 22 is pushed from thebottom of the stack of the angle plates 22 carried by the supply hopper58 to the right to the dotted line position of the angle plate 22whereat the angle plate 22 engages the adjacent corner of the duct 20overlying the two adjacent channel flanges 24.

The angle plate 22 is now in position to be pressed into the associatedchannel flanges 24. This is accomplished by a presser device 94 which isbest illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

The presser device 94 includes the previously described notched plate 60which is carried for downward movement by a pair of rods 96 whichextends down and through the platen 56 and are connected together attheir ends by a transverse connecting bar 98 which is carried by apiston rod 100 of a fluid motor 102. The fluid motor 102 is suspendedbelow the platen 56 from a plate 104 which, in turn, is suspended fromthe platen 56 by rods 106. Additionally, the fluid motor 76 is alsosuspended from the plate 104.

The notched plate 60 has depending from the underside thereof a pair ofpresser blocks 108 which are adapted to engage the legs 38 of an angleplate 22.

The plate 60 also carries in depending relation a presser member 110which is positioned to engage the corner 42 of the angle plate 22. As isbest shown in FIG. 8, the presser member 110 is carried by a rod 112.The rod 112 extends upwardly through the plate 60 and is receivablyurged downwardly by a spring 116. This permits the presser member 110 toresiliently move upwardly relative to the plate 60 in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter.

Since the presser member 110 depends below the blocks 108, it will beseen that when the presser device 94 is actuated by the fluid motor 102,the presser member 110 will first engage the corner of the angle plate22 to tilt the angle plate 22 in the manner best shown in FIG. 4.Thereafter, as the notched plate 60 continues its downward movement, thepressure blocks 108 will engage the legs 38 of the angle plate 22 tofully force the angle plate 22 down into the channel flanges 24. Thisposition is shown in FIG. 12. It is noted that at this time the angleplate 22 assumes a horizontal position forcing the presser member 110upwardly against the resiliency of the spring 116.

At this time the angle plate 22 is fully seated in the two associatedchannel flanges 24 and may be retained in place within the channelflanges 24 by beads. However, it is preferred to crimp the side flanges34, 36 over the legs 38 of the angle plate to retain it in place.

The crimping of the side flanges 34, 36 is effected by two separatecrimping heads 118 which form parts of crimping devices 120 which extendupwardly through openings 122 in the platen 56, as is best shown in FIG.16. Each crimping head 118 is carried by an angle lever 124 which ispivotally mounted on a pivot pin 126. The pivot pin 126 is suitablymounted below the platen 56.

The specific details of the crimping device 120 are best shown in FIGS.13 and 14 with respect to the crimping devices carried by the top unit54 which includes a platen 128 having an opening 122 therethrough foreach of the crimping devices 120.

It will be seen that there are a pair of mounting plates 130 which arebolted to the platen 128 and which are disposed in spaced parallelrelation. The mounting plates 130 are connected together in spacedrelation at their free ends by way of a cam block 132 and bolts 134.

It will also be seen that the pivot pin 126 is carried by the plates130.

It will also be seen that the crimping device 120 further includesactuating links 136 which have one end thereof connected to the anglelever 124 by a pivot pin 138. The opposite end of the links 136 carriesa pivot pin 140 which has the opposite ends thereof received in a guideslot 142 formed in each of the plates 130. The first pin carries a camfollower 150 which engages a cam surface 151 of the cam block 132.

An end of a piston rod 144 of a fluid motor 146 is connected to the link136 by a pivot pin 148. It is to be understood that the non-illustratedend of the fluid motor 146 is pivotally mounted relative to the platen128 to allow a slight vertical movement of the piston rod 144.

When the fluid motor 146 is actuated to move the piston rod 144 to theright, as the pivot pin 140 moves to the right in guide slot 142, theengagement of the cam follower 150 with the cam surface 151 forces thelever 136 downwardly to pivot the angle lever 124 in a counterclockwisedirection to effect a crimping operation such as is as shown in FIG. 16.On the return stroke of the fluid motor 146, the upper ends of the links136 are guided by the pivot pins 148 in the guide slots.

Referring once again to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the platen 128 ismounted above the platen 56 by a plurality of rods 152 which extendthrough the plate 128 and terminate in threaded upper ends receivingadjustable nuts which function as stops 154 It is to be particularlynoted that the upper ends of the rods 152 carry coil springs 156 whichresiliently mount the platen 128 for vertical downward movement of theplaten 128.

The vertical adjustment of the platen 128 is required in that the ducts20 are not always of the same length, but may vary in length due to thewidth of the sheet metal strip from which they are formed. The ducts 20are of a nominal length and the position of the platen 128 may beadjusted by way of the adjustable stops 154. The purpose of the coilsprings 156 will be described in more detail hereinafter.

It is to be understood that the apparatus carried by the platen 56 isprimarily duplicated on the platen 128, with two minor exceptions. Sincethe lower channel flange 24 of the duct 20 opens upwardly, the angleplates 22 may be moved into overlying relation with respect to the lowerchannel flange 24 as shown in FIG. 9 and then pressed into the channelflanges in the manner shown in FIGS. 10-12. However, because the upperchannel flanges 24 open downwardly, the angle plates 22 must be appliedin a different manner.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the plate 104 is seated on the crimpingdevices 120 and stabilized by rods 106.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15 wherein it will be seen that underlyingthe platen 128 is a shelf 156 which is suspended from the platen 128 asshown at 158. Overlying the shelf 156 is a opening 160 through theplaten 128. A stack of the angle plates 22 extends down through theopening 160 and is seated on the shelf 156. A lower part of the supplyhopper 58 extends through the opening 160 and terminates in spacedrelation above the shelf 156.

Next, it will be seen that the notched plate 60 has a lower positiongenerally below the shelf 156 with the presser blocks 108 and thepresser member 110 thereof positioned below the top surface of the shelf156. The feed plate 78 is seated on the shelf 156 for sliding movementso as to move a lowermost angle plate from the bottom of the stack ofangle plates to the right into engagement with an adjacent corner of anassociated duct with the angle plates being supported by the presserblocks 108 and the presser member 110.

The feed plate movement is controlled by the fluid motor 82 which issuspended from the shelf 156 in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 9with the arm 88 carried by the piston rod 86 extending up through anelongated slot 162 in the shelf 156.

When the angle plate is in position engaging the corner of the ducts 20,the angle plate is now ready to be inserted into the adjacent channelflanges 24. This is caused by the upward movement of the notched plate60 with the angle plate 22 being first tilted as shown in FIG. 4 andthen firmly pressed into the channel flanges 24 as shown in FIG. 5.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 wherein there is illustrated a positioncontrol device such as switch 164 carried by the notched plate 60. Whena duct 20 is in position for receiving an angle plate 22, the ductengages the switch 164 to close the same.

Referring now to FIG. 17, it will be seen that there is illustrated acontrol system for automatically actuating the fluid motors 82. It willbe seen that the control system includes an air supply 166 which iscoupled to a control valve 168. The control valve 168 is also coupled toexhausts 170. The opposite sides of the control valve 168 is coupled toopposite ends of the fluid motor 82 which is of the double acting type.The control valve 168 may be of the solenoid actuated type including acoil 172.

The circuitry includes a power source 174 with switches 164 engaged byopposite ends of the duct 20 being connected in series.

Thus, when the duct 20 has both ends thereof in position for receivingangle plates 22, the switches 164 will be closed in that the apparatus50 is ready to feed angle plates to the channel flanges. This providesfor the automatic operation of the machine 50. It also provides a safetycheck in that if both ends of the duct 20 are not in position forreceiving angle plates, the angle plate feed mechanism will not beactuated.

While additional switches have not been specifically illustrated, it isto be understood that switches will be provided for engagement by theangle plates when they are in the position shown in FIG. 4 to actuatethe fluid motors 102 to press the angle plates into the channel flanges.There will be further control switches to be engaged by the notchedplates 60 so as to energize the fluid motors 146 of the crimpingdevices.

Finally there will be incorporated in each circuitry a normally closedswitch 176 which will be opened by the crimping devices to reset all ofthe mechanisms.

Returning now to the resilient mounting of the platen 128, it is to beunderstood that if a duct 20 is shorter than normal, the channel flangesat the upper end thereof will be spaced below the underside of theplaten 128. When the machine 50 is actuated to press the angle plates 22into the channel flanges 24, the lower pressing device 94 will clamp theassociated lower channel flanges 24 against the upper surface of theplaten 56. At the same time, the upper pressing mechanism 94 will forcethe associated angle plate 22 against the upper channel flanges 24urging the duct 20 to move upwardly. Since the duct 20 is clampedagainst the lower platen 56, the net result is that temporarily theupper platen 128 will be urged downwardly against the resistance of thesprings 156 until the platen 128 engages the upper channel flanges 24.Thus the spring mounting of the upper platen 128 will automaticallycompensate for any variation in length of the duct 20.

The machine 50, as described above, places angle plates 22 at only onecorner of a duct at a time period. It is, however, contemplated thatangle plates may be applied to two or more corners of the duct 20 at onetime. Accordingly, reference is made to FIG. 18 wherein two of suchmachines 50 are illustrated as constructed to simultaneously place angleplates 22 at two corners of the duct 20 simultaneously.

It is further envisioned that the two machines 50 may be incorporated ona single set of supports.

At this time, it is pointed out that while the duct 20 may be of aone-piece construction with panels 26 thereof integrally joined at threecorners and interlocked at a fourth corner, each duct 20 may be made upof two L-shaped halves. These halves may include two panels 26 with thehalves joined at the remote corners of the duct by way of a seam whichis commonly referred to as a Pittsburgh seam shown in FIG. 19 andidentified by the numeral 178. In FIG. 19 is also illustrated aconventional seaming head 180 to effect the locking of the seam 178. Theseaming head 180 is mounted for vertical movement on two rods 182 andadapted to be moved up and down along the seam 178 by suitable means.

The seaming head 180 may be formed in two parts initially positionedmid-height of the duct 20 and first move in opposite directions and thenback together.

It is to be understood that the seaming means which includes the seaminghead 180 may be part of the machine 50 so as to automatically effect theseaming operation while the duct halves are mounted on the machine 50for receiving angle plates. The seaming head 180 may be actuated inadvance of the application of angle plates or concurrently therewith.

Further, while it has not been specifically illustrated, conventionalducts 20 are also formed in two halves with each half including one fullpanel 26 and two half panels 26 with the half panels being joinedtogether. These duct halves may be seamed together by a conventionalseaming head in a like manner as described with reference to FIG. 19.More practically, seaming head 180 may occupy a right-hand position asshown in FIG. 18.

Referring once again to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 20 and 21, it will be seen thatthe tabs 46 are reversely formed at the ends of the legs 38 and arecurved upwardly and longitudinally to prevent nesting. In a like manner,tabs 47 extending longitudinally of the angle plate are slightly curvedaway from each other at the tops thereof to prevent nesting.

Referring next to FIGS. 22-24, it will be seen that there is illustrateda modified form of angle plate generally identified by the referencenumeral 186 which is similar to the angle plate 22 and differs therefromonly in the tabs 188 which are changed from the tabs 46. The tabs 188are generally T-shaped and are struck from like-shaped openings 190 inthe legs 38.

Although in FIG. 6 the machine 50 is shown as supported by the platen 56of the lower unit 52, the machine may be mounted for tilting movement tofacilitate repairs as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.

The lower unit 52, which carries the upper unit 54 on rods 152, may bemounted on rods 152 by a pair of support posts 194 and horizonal pivotpins 196 for swinging from an operative vertical position of the machine50 to a horizontal readily accessible position. A suitable releasablelatch 198 is carried by the lower unit 52 and engaged with a keeper 200.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the angle plate positioningmachine has been specifically illustrated and described, it is to beunderstood that minor modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thedependent claims. For example, as illustrated, the corner plates arestacked and the individual plates slide off the bottom of the stack.However, it is possible to utilize other stacking means, for example anescapement mechanism to drop single corners into a sliding position.Such mechanisms are more complex and, accordingly, not preferred.

IT IS CLAIMED:
 1. A method of assembling angle plates at corners ofducts into channel shaped flanges at ends of duct panels joined at acorner, said method comprising the steps of positioning a plurality ofangle plates within a supply hopper, individually feeding an angle platefrom the supply hopper, moving each angle plate into contact with a ductcorner and generally adjacent to flanges of such duct, and progressivelypressing said angle plate into said flanges.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein said flanges include side edges, and crimping said side edgesover each angle plate to positively lock each angle plate into eachflange.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein in the application of an angleplate, a duct is first moved to a preselected position relative to saidsupply hopper, and each actuation of a later step is controlled bycompletion of a prior step.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedingof an angle plate from said supply hopper and into contact with saidduct corner is effected in a sequenced motion.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein there is a notch between adjacent flanges at a corner of eachduct, and in the pressing of an angle plate into said flanges, saidangle plate is tilted with a corner of said angle plate tipping intosaid notch, and thereafter pressing said tilted angle plate fully intosaid flanges.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the tilting of said angleplate is resiliently effected whereby said tilted angle plate is free toreturn to a flat state as said angle plate is fully pressed into saidflanges.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein each duct has flanges atopposite end thereof, and a second angle plate is directed into ductflanges at an opposite end of said duct in a like manner.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein in the application of an angle plate, a duct is firstplaced in a preselected position relative to said magazine.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein each actuation of a later step is controlledby completion of a prior step.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein saidangle plate is moved directly from said supply hopper generally intoposition relative to adjacent flanges.
 11. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid angle plate is first moved from said supply hopper into contactwith said duct corner in spaced relation to said duct flanges and thento a position generally adjacent to adjacent duct flanges.
 12. Themethod of claim 1 wherein each duct is formed with two adjacent panelshaving interlocking connecting means, and the interlocking connectingmeans are locked together as an angle plate is being applied.
 13. Amethod of assembling an angle plate at a corner of a duct into twoseparate channel shaped flanges at ends of duct panels joined togetherat a corner, said method comprising the steps of clamping an end of aduct in a preselected position positioning an angle plate adjacent toand transversely spaced relative to an end of the duct, moving the angleplate transversely of the duct into contact with the duct corner andadjacent to adjacent flanges of such duct, and thereafter pressing theangle plate into the duct flanges.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinsaid flanges include side edges, and crimping said side edges over eachangle plate to positively lock each angle plate into each flange. 15.The method of claim 14 wherein each actuation of a later step iscontrolled by completion of a prior step.
 16. The method of claim 13wherein the angle plate is positioned by a supply hopper.